How to Dust Your Curtains the Right Way (They're Dirtier Than You Think)

Picking the right curtains for your space can be surprisingly challenging. Factors like length, color, material, and opacity all come into play. What should actually take far less time is keeping said curtains clean and dusted. Yet curtains often go neglected during regular housekeeping, even though their cleanliness has a major impact on air quality, allergies, and even the smell in your home. 

To better understand how to care for them adequately, we spoke with cleaning professional Derek Christian and curtain-care expert Matthias Silverton. They share how (and how often) you should clean and dust your curtains—and why you're probably not doing it enough.

The Hidden Dirt and Allergens Coating Your Curtains

Just like rugs and upholstered furniture, curtains easily collect allergens—things like dust and dust mites, pet hair, dander and pollen, and cooking fumes and smoke. "It’s amazing how often a client will complain of allergies, and after we clean their curtains," Christian says, "they report that their symptoms are much better." This is often due to dust buildup that can contribute to or exacerbate allergy and asthma symptoms, explains Christian, "especially because fabric traps moisture."

Eventually, air quality is diminished, and conditions are even ideal for mold and mildew growth. "When the windows are open, or air is moving, they are then released into the air and will certainly reduce air quality," Christian says. "[This] creates a persistent source of irritation, unless cleaned."

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How to Dust Curtains, Step-by-Step

How to properly clean your curtains rests heavily on the type of fabric they’re made of. Before proceeding, both of our experts highly recommend locating your curtain’s care tag to ensure you’re following proper cleaning protocol and protecting more delicate fabrics.

And if the curtain’s care tag has been removed? To be on the safe side, consult a cleaning professional.

Materials Needed:

• Vacuum with dust brush attachment
• Pantyhose
• Microfiber duster
• Lint roller
• Dry microfiber cloth

Instructions:

For more durable fabrics, like linen or polyester curtains, follow the method below.

1. Remove curtains from rods and take them outside. Shake them gently to remove any loose dust and debris.
   
2. Back inside, pull a pair of pantyhose over the dust brush of your vacuum.
   
3. Going from top to bottom, gently run the vacuum attachment along the curtains. The pantyhose should keep the fabric from getting sucked up and damaged during the process.
4. For blackout curtains, Silverton suggests finishing by using a dry microfiber cloth to clean the rubbery backing.

If your curtains are crafted of more delicate fabric—like silk curtains or sheer panels—use a microfiber duster or lint roller to remove dust instead. Gently run it along with fabric, being careful not to snag stitching or pull delicate pleating.

How Often to Dust Your Curtains

Think of it much the same as changing an air filter: The more environmental pollution in the home, the more frequently you’ll want to clean your curtains. "Factors like high traffic or humid areas of the home should also be taken into consideration," Christian says, “Your kitchen curtains likely need cleaning more frequently than, say, the bedroom curtains."

Generally speaking, dust with a microfiber duster or vacuum every other week to keep things fresh. You'll also want to give your curtains a thorough dusting before starting any deep cleans (typically done every three to six months). If you don't, the dust can turn into a ‘muddy grime’ that weaves itself into the fabric, says Silverton, making it difficult to remove.

For folks with allergies or pets, Christian recommends increasing your curtain cleaning frequency. This can help improve indoor air quality and cut down on allergy suffering.